Omaha daily bee., 1887-01-02
The Presidents Blowout Not Considered
an Unqualified Success,
A FALLING OFF IN ATTENDANCE
The Elements Conspirc to Dampcn the
Enthusiasm - Very Few of the
Common Herd" on Hand
Washington News.
The Presidents Reccptiou.

lNl, DUl ~ ~ u ClOth lUt shy uCCdllc UNtl-
cast the air became raw and TO the sush
under foot was added the most disagreeable
atmosphere. As usual interest was centered
at the white house. The president and Mrs.
Cleveland must have been sorely disap-
pointed. Their guests numbered one-third
less than last year, but this was probably
owing to an impression that the president
would not be present and the disagreeable
condition of the weather. There were the
usual members of the army and navy, men,
bers of the diplomatic corps and
immediate members of the admin
istration, but that great class usually
designated as the common herd" and ordi
narily numbering way into the thousands,
was not there and no explanation is made
of the absence. There were anxious in
Quiries concerning the health of the presl-
dent all morning, and it was not known till
a few minutes before he appeared whether
he would be able to participate. When he
came down stairs on the arm of Mrs, Man.
ming, for she assisted him, instead of vice
versa, as is customary a frown Overspread
his face and he bit his lips as he suppressed a
limp from the swollen condition of his knee.
He walked slow, but one not noticing him
specially would not have discovered any dis
comtiture. A flush mantlcd his cheeks from
slight fever. Secretary Manning looked much
more i'll than did the president 1t was
remarked by everybody that Mr.. Manning ap
peared to be very delicate. He looked pale,
while there was puff around his eyes which
indicated extreme physical weakness. There
was frecr commingling in the parors be-
yOnd the group of administrative receivers
than usual. People of all grades and shades
fingered and seemed to enjoy themselves
Walker Blaine came to the white house few
minutes after the reception began and some
time prior to the admission of the general
public, to which he belonged, and asked for
an introduction to Colonel Lamont. This
procured, he requested a special presentation
to the PRESIDENT, Mrs. Cleveland and others
receiving. Mr. Blaine was very cordially re-
paying his compliments only three
men appeared among the, callers in
of them. The number of senators ana rep
resentative who called was less than ever
known before. just after the justices OF the
supreme court entered the green room, about
fifteen workers in Newspaper Row, who
were on the inner circles of the white house,
entered the room. As they approached the.
president some one sang out: Newspaper
Row. Mrs. Cleveland smiled very blandly
and gave the boys q iirm grasp but the presi-
dent seemed perreXed and annoyed. lie
thought OF the ''glioulsh gIee'' which would
follow. The attention of the newspaper
detectives around the president. as last year.
Only policemen in citizens clothing did
| guard duty. The criticisms of last year kept
| the detectives out of employment to-day
| Mr.. Henderson was the first senator to call.
| He was followed soon after by senator ALI
| son and Representatives Conger, Lyman and
| Murphy, Of Iowa.
The toilets OF the ladies were displayed to
| great advantage in the refulgence of light
| from the great gilt and crystal chandelier
| and candeabra in the blue parlor and it was
beauty and good TASTE Mrs. Cleveland wore
| pompadOur dress of pink faille francaiSe
| silk, plain front, with Manlnes lace, train of
| same color, satin and silk striped, and EN-
| square in front and rather high, with point
| in back. She wore tan elbow-seeye gloves.
Her only ornament was diamond nccklcce,
which was wedding present from her huS-
| band, She wore but single rosebud.
| Mrs. Manning wore an elaborate toilet of
| satin, and brOcade front of yellow satin,
| trimmed with duchess and point lace i'll pan
| els at sides
Mrs. Endlcotts dress was gold colored
| brocade shotted with red with court train,
! scaloped over red velvet and red velvet
reyeres over white lace iiounces.
| Mrs. Y ilaS' dress was a black velvet with
court train over petticoat of pink MORE, coy
cred with jetted net The corsage was open
at the neck and at the throat was worn a
| shell shaped pendant OF diamonds.
Although the dean OF the diplomat c corps
| wore the conventional suit most of the for
eign representatives were attired in full
| uniform, the group representing brilliant
| display of gold lace and cloth of gay hues.
| Next came the justices of the supreme court,
| judges OF the court of claims, district jul
| dietary and district commissioners. The at
| tendance OF senators and representatives
| was rather below the average Oh New Years
day at the white house. Most of the legis-
| latOrs were accompanied by their wives and
| ladies of their household.
At half-past o'clock ladies assisting IN
| thn Ayt lnN InI tn lAn tha
| white house 10 receive thelr friends at their
| homes and Mrs. Cleveland remained without
assistance beside the president. 1t is esti-
| mated that 1000 or 900 people attended the
| sistance of any kind throughout. 1t appears
| that he was not unduly distressed, and he is
resting comfortably tonight. Mrs. Ceve-
| land was also much fatigued, but showed no
| sign of discomfort during the reception, and
| shook hands with the same CHEEKY smile mt
the last person IN the long line.
-, MRS, CLEVELAND AS A DIPLOMAT.
| Mrs. Cleveland IS proving herself to be
| the diplomat of the white house." said a yell
| known society writer to-day--a lady who
| frequently calls upon the first lady of the
| land for the doings at the white house. "Nlrs.
Cleveland IS trying to counteract the un-
| popularity of her husband among newspaper
| writer's by solidifying herself with the ladies
| OF the press. She receives us all kindly and
| gives us all she knows of news. Then she treats
| us lovely and takes an interest in Us. She
| recognizes US at church, theatre, on the
| street, everywhere. frequently call to see
| her, and she remembers my first name, and
| speaks as though she considers me one of her
| friends instead OF convenience, as many
other ladies of high degree do. ! recently
| passed Mrs. Cleveland on the street. She was
| with friend did not think to recognize
| her gazing at the friend, When | called at
| the white house she spoke OF my oyersi ght,
| and seemed TO feel il. | aDOlOglzed and all
| is well now MIS-. Cleveland is just like all
| OF us"
| REFORM IN THE DEPARTMENTS
| Talk about reform in the departments" 4"
| said an interior department clerk the other
| day; ''the reform carried on by this adminis-
1 traton Is enough to make one tired. For in
| stance, large number of the chiefs of dIvi-
| sions are men from the interior of states;
| from small places, and who have never had
| the experience OF a business man. They
were politicians, who never had occasion to
Write u business letter, and who cannot do
! il. lOu see q great to do in democratic pa
| peTs about the sincerity OF the administration
in retaining in places men who have been
chiefs of divisions Tor years and who are re-
| duced To clerkshpS rather than to throw them
out upon the world This is claimed 10 be
done to repay them for past services. Some
| of the old chiefs have consented to redue-
| tion. The reform really consists i'll making
| q new place IoI these old clerks or sort
| OF private secretaries 10 tn unworthy new
| appointees. What DO -. do? Why they
| do tile entire work at 81 q year while the